Otto the dog survived being shot - but now he needs an operation to remove the pellets

After surviving being shot with an air gun in Spain and brought to England, Otto the dog was looking forward to putting his paws up.

But since finding his forever home, pellets lodged in his spine have begun to cause abscesses and infections, leaving him in a lot of pain.

Now, Dorset charity Margaret Green Animal Rescue has launched an appeal to raise funds to pay for an operation to make him well again.

Three pellets were lodged in his spine and side after he was shot, and at the time, Otto’s vet felt the pellets wouldn’t cause him any physical problems and the best option was to leave them be and allow his body to heal around them.

His new owners brought him to England, until they could no longer look after him and he came to Margaret Green Animal Rescue, in Church Knowle.

When Otto came to the rescue centre they were made aware of the pellets and the previous decision to leave them in place. The centre's veterinary surgeon agreed, and staff felt the best option for Otto was that he should be allowed to enjoy a normal life as quickly as possible.

Otto went to his forever home in January 2016 and his new owners were made aware of his condition. As insurance was not available the centre agreed to provide ongoing support should further related problems occur.

Otto settled in well into his new home, and quickly became a much-loved and active member of the family, but his troubles weren’t over. After about a year he suffered repeated abscesses which were painful and very restrictive to his movement.

Further X-rays were taken which showed the pellet in his spine was now causing a problem. The Margaret Green veterinary surgeon confirmed that the only way forward, to prevent reoccurring infections, which make Otto’s life so miserable, was to operate to remove the pellet close to his spine.

Geoff Wright, chief executive for Margaret Green Animal Rescue Centre, said: “Having this operation will mean so much to the quality of life for Otto who will be able to act like a normal dog again, having off lead exercise so he can run, something he hasn’t done since the infections started.”

The cost of treatment has been confirmed at a discounted rate of £3900 - a huge cost to the centre and equivalent to the cost of care for more than 20 animals.

Mr Wright added: “We are appealing for people to please donate and help us pay for this complex but vital operation. Anything you can afford will go directly to help Otto with his operation and recovery. Thank you.”

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